Abba Elias

Here are two sayings from the desert father Elias:

Abba Elias, the minister, said, 'What can sin do where there is penitence? And of what use is love where there is pride?'

and

Observe your thoughts, and beware of what you have in your heart and your spirit, knowing that the demons put ideas into you so as to corrupt your soul by making it think of that which is not right, in order to turn your spirit from the consideration of your sins and of God.